Fighting oppression and discrimination for all

Don't Bully Animals!

It’s counter to the battle for civil rights for an oppressed group to demand fair treatment while
abusing another group.

Above: S.F. Bay Area Gay Rodeo Secretary Jason Strand
violently twists a steer's head at the 2012 Las Vegas Gay Rodeo. If
he did this to a dog, he could go to jail. Why is there a
difference? It's the same type of "difference" that "justifies" the
abuse and bullying of gay persons in the minds of some people.

Animals used
in rodeo are normally-docile
creatures who don't naturally buck or enjoy being chased, ridden and
wrestled by strangers. They are at risk for injury and death, and
there was at least one
fatally-injured steer at a Minnesota Gay
Rodeo, according to Mercy for Animals. IGRA's
Annual Convention minutes mention
problems with injuries, deaths and even ringworm. Bay Area Gay Rodeo
("Best Buck in the Bay") organizers even brag
about the pain and stress they cause, stating in their 2011 Events
Guide, and formerly on their website,
"...the unpredictable bull is known to come looking for the rider
when the ride is completed." Deanna Trujillo-James
with the Bay Area Gay Rodeo also brags, "It’s...all about
wresting a 700-lb. animal with horns to the ground in a certain way,
in under 60 seconds, and that steer
doesn’t want to play with you in the first place."
(epchalips.com, Aug. 27, 2012)

In the
bucking
events, animals are forced to violently jump and twist through the
use of painful and annoying "bucking straps," cinched around them,
spurs, and other techniques and devices (including electric prods
and beatings well-document in "traditional" rodeos). Rodeo organizers often
claim that bucking is "natural" and "fun" for the animals, but
the International Gay Rodeo Association's (IGRA) own
2011 Annual
Convention Meeting Minutes (page 30) confirm otherwise: "Flanks should be tied loosely [for 'Junior Bull' events only], the tighter these are tied, the more advanced moves the bull will make
[i.e, the more the animal fights
the discomfort and irritation]. Bulls may lay down in the chute if the rigging is pulled too tightly, letting the air out of the animal/restricting its breathing."

In the "calf-roping events," baby animals run for their lives as
they are chased by men or women on horseback. They are violently
thrown to the ground. According to the IGRA's
2011 Annual
Convention Meeting Minutes (page 28), a calf's horn sheath was
ripped off – this is extremely painful.

In "chute
dogging" (or "steer wrestling"), animals' heads are violently
twisted until they are forced to the ground. On two occasions when
we asked rodeo organizers if this would be acceptable treatment for
a dog, they disturbingly come up with examples where they claim to
have done so, ostensibly for "training" or "self-defense."
According to IGRA's
2012 Annual
Convention Meeting Minutes (page 33), Chute Dogging cruelty has
become a serious "public relations" issue for them, and they are
struggling with how to "improve" the event rules.

Painful shocks from electric prods ("Hot Shots") are allowed (officially not while animals are in chutes). "Traditional" rodeos are
routinely documented to use electric prods before releasing animals
from chutes, to further force them to buck -- even in California,
where it's illegal. In fact,
IGRA's
2011 Annual
Convention Meeting Minutes (page 29) mentions contractors for
three of its rodeos not complying with electric prod
rules.

Confused and frightened animals are trucked into the unfamiliar
rodeo grounds and kept in small stalls, then forced into performing
for our amusement and profit. Then, many of them are destined to go
on to a frightening and painful death at a slaughterhouse.

Gay Rodeo has stricter rules than "traditional" rodeo (e.g., it
requires break-away ropes in the mounted calf-roping events), but much of
the same cruelty is still inherent (as described above), and it's
well-documented that traditional rodeos routinely don't follow
or enforce their own rules. Furthermore, they use the same stock
contractors as traditional rodeos, so there's no reason to believe
those contractors handle the animals differently, especially when
IGRA's fines are only $50-$100. IGRA's Annual Convention Meeting
Minutes confirm ongoing problems with stock contractors not
following its rules.

As another group who has experienced oppression and abuse, let's
show some respect and compassion for others who are weaker than us,
and not harm them unnecessarily. Instead, let's use our creativity
to re-define "Gay Rodeo" as a fun Country-Western-themed event
without involving animals. There are already many fun events prior
to the actual rodeo.

As the rodeo itself admits, feminists are already more conscious
than others of the parallels of oppression and abuse of humans, and
that of animals — a roadblock to recruitment of women for the
rodeo. We hope to help even more people will think about this, and
consider whether dominating animals in rodeo makes them feel "tough"
after suffering bullying and oppression by other humans.

Disclaimer: though we realize that "traditional" rodeos
are well documented to be extremely cruel and corrupt and we also
campaign against them, "gay" rodeo is a subject close to gay animal
advocates because members of our own community are responsible,
because it reflects poorly on us, and because it's easier to put a
stop to.

What You Can Do...

Boycott the rodeo until organizers decide to exclude "performing"
animals from the festivities, and ask your friends to do the same.

Contact the sponsors and supporters and politely ask
them to withdraw their support as long as animals are harmed in the
rodeo, and inform them that you will boycott their businesses until they
do so.

News Feed...

The major San Francisco Bay Area LGBT newspaper "Bay Area Reporter's" September 11, 2014 issue includes an article about
animal advocates' concerns about animal cruelty in Gay Rodeo. Please read it
here.

Gay Rodeo is using "fake" corporate
sponsors!

The Bay Area Gay Rodeo has been listing Safeway and Starbucks as "sponsors."
We were surprised that these companies would associate themselves with rodeo cruelty,
so we contacted them to verify.

We have confirmed that these corporations have not authorized the use of their names and logos by the Gay Rodeo, and
have instructed
rodeo officials to remove any references to them. The references
have since been removed from the rodeo's website.

We did confirm that Safeway has been making small water and food
donations to the rodeo (which does not constitute "sponsorship").
Please politely ask them to cease
any involvement with rodeo cruelty.

Gay Rodeo attendance is dwindling, younger LGBTs are not interested.

In a
recent article in the Bay Area Reporter,
rodeo participant Deb Freeman said,
"Over the years, rodeo has dwindled in numbers for various reasons and this is a good opportunity to show it to people. There's just not the attraction of the younger folks to the rodeo and I don't know why that is. It's just not happening and I wish I knew why."
(By the way, she also claims that Gay Rodeo doesn't use electric
prods to shock animals, which is
simply not true.)

Perhaps the recent increased social awareness of animal cruelty issues –
especially "farm" animals and those used for "entertainment" – is
causing the younger generations to show more compassion toward
animals. This could also be the reason that
14% of millennials are "dedicated vegetarians."

Gay Rodeo's Annual Convention minutes detail animal welfare problems

The International Gay Rodeo Association's Annual Convention minutes
documents some of its own animal welfare/abuse problems — some beyond
the obvious problems. Click
here for details.

After we contacted Cover Your K-9 (Police &
Working K-9 Foundation) with our concerns
that an organization that helps animals planned to receive money
from and support cruelty to animals, they made the compassionate
decision to withdraw as beneficiary of the 2013 Bay Area Gay Rodeo. Similarly,
in 2012,
Paws & Hearts Animal-Assisted Therapy
previously decided to withdraw
as "beneficiary" of the Springs Gay Rodeo, and the National
Center for Lesbian Rights removed the rodeo from its
website's "events" page.

Although we don't condone or support the use of animals by the
police,
Cover Your K-9 appears to provide an important
service in protecting police dogs who are involuntarily subjected to
danger. Therefore, we encourage you to
donate to them
to help with the loss of the funds they expected, and to thank them
on behalf of animals abused in rodeo! The Bay Area Gay rodeo donated
$1,020 to its 2011 primary beneficiary (only 2% of its gross revenue,
while spending $7,844 on "travel for rodeo officials"), so it
shouldn't be difficult to make up for the "loss." Please
let us know if you donate.

The Bay Area Gay Rodeo event location (Driscoll Ranches) is being shut down to animal abuse, will be used to protect animals instead!

The Peninsula Open Space Trust has purchased the property, creating 10 square miles of protected open space.
For 2014, the rodeo has moved to Sonoma County, about a 2-hour drive
away – no longer in the Bay Area.
Read more...

Gay Rodeo uses parody of "Bait Bus" porn site for promotion.

On September 9, 2012, Bay Area Gay Rodeo personnel drove around the Castro neighborhood in a van with a sign saying "Rodeo Bait Bus."
["Bait Bus" is an internet porn site in which "straight" men are picked up by a van and "tricked" into having sex with
other men, using attractive women as "bait."]

If the Gay Rodeo really wants to break stereotypes, present itself as all-inclusive, and recruit more women from "women's groups" (see below)
such as The National Center for Lesbian Rights and
Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, using "Bait Bus" as a promotional
tool probably isn't the best idea. But apparently, some such groups
are willing to sell out for small donations and public ego-stroking.

Why does the
National Center for Lesbian Rights support and promote animal
cruelty?

NCLR recently sent an email
newsletter promoting the upcoming Bay Area Gay Rodeo, and
announcing that Executive Director
Kate Kendell will attend the
rodeo to receive a "buckle" award. After we contacted them, they
pulled the event from their website, but refused to cancel Ms.
Kendell's
appearance, and have not agreed to issue a retraction and cease other involvement
and support.
Perhaps it's because they're receiving money from the
affiliated The Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing?

The International
Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), finding difficulty
recruiting women due to their enhanced concerns about cruelty to
animals (see below), has advised its chapters to woo women-oriented
organizations (that why the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund received
$1,020 from the Bay Area Gay Rodeo in 2011). There are ways to raise money without causing others suffer for
it.

It should be obvious to them that supporting and promoting the abuse,
bullying, and oppression of others directly
conflicts with their mission as an organization working to help
others and promote social justice. Please see our
sponsors page for contact information,
and ask them to withdraw from rodeo completely, including canceling
Ms. Kendell's award acceptance and retracting their email to their
subscribers. If you are a member, please cancel your membership and let
them know why.

The major local LGBT newspaper Bay Area Reporter printed our letter
contesting the claims made in
press release issued by the International Gay Rodeo Association,
submitted to the newspaper by the Bay Area Gay Rodeo in the guise of
a "Letter to the Editor" which ran on August 9, 2012.

Marlena's Bar stops supporting/sponsoring Gay Rodeo!

The manager of the
Hayes Valley, S.F. gay bar "Marlena's" informed us that they have decided to
cease supporting and sponsoring Gay Rodeo, adding to the growing
list of businesses and organization who have made the compassionate
decision to stop supporting cruelty to animals in rodeo.

The Bay Area Gay Rodeo's website's front page now features
a link to a press release issued by the International Gay Rodeo
Association in response to pressure from our recent successes in
protecting animals and the reputation of the LGBT community.

We have the following observations/corrections/comments:

They say, "Every member of IGRA loves and
protects animals; both domestic pets and stock farm animals."
However, we have a
Gay Rodeo representative on video
(see below) telling us
it's "fun" and "totally OK" to hurt animals. And the abuse they
inflict on "stock farm animals" (which most presumably wouldn't
do to "domestic pets") clearly speaks otherwise.

They say, "Our stock animals are skillfully used,
fed, watered, rested, vaccinated, protected from the elements
and watched over by our animal issues committee and a large
animal veterinarian at every rodeo. This
responsible use does not now, never has, nor ever will, rise to
the level of 'abuse.'” Aside from the obvious abuse and
risks
inherent with bucking straps, spurs, head-twisting, roping, violently
yanking up legs to quickly force underwear on, etc., IGRA itself
confirms there are deaths and injuries among its chapters in its
2010 Annual Convention Minutes.

They say, "We do not use “tight straps” on our riding
stock and nothing touches their genitalia. A fleece, flat rear
cinch is used to signal the bucking animals to buck." The bucking straps
cinched around their vulnerable abdominal areas are indeed tight
—
that's why the animals buck (it's not simply a
"signal"). You can clearly see in video taken at the 2011 Bay Area Gay Rodeo a rodeo person yanking up a rope to tighten the straps just before each animal is release.
Additionally, contrary to IGRA's claims, they use regular rope
flank straps on steers (clearly seen in videos and photos, such
as
this
photo from the 2012 Florida Gay Rodeo). Also, LGBT Compassion has never claimed the straps
touch animals' genitals.

They make an illogically distinction between the acceptable
treatment of "domestic pets" and "stock farm animals." These
animals all have the same capacity for pain and fear, and the
same emotions and needs. The "reasons" some people use to
justify treating certain species of animals without compassion
and respect are parallel to the reasons historically used to oppress
and abuse LGBTs and other minorities.

They claim that we "lie, exaggerate and smear
another LGBT organization in order to undermine the efforts to
serve the GLBTQ community." We challenge them to prove any lies or exaggerations. Our claims are backed by documents and video directly from IGRA and its chapters, video and photos.
They imply that we should excuse their behavior because they're
also LGBT — in fact, we feel they are an
embarrassment to the majority of the LGBT community, and reinforce
the negative stereotypes of us. Additionally, they only "serve"
the community through token donations of their
revenue (7% average for the Bay Area Gay Rodeo, 6.5% for Palm
Springs Gay Rodeo), some to other Gay Rodeo or associated organizations (according to IRS filings).
Much of the money raised goes to benefit of rodeo
organizers and participants.

They suggest that LGBT Compassion should focus on "the real abused, starved, neglected, confined and tortured
animals in the world." Of course we (as an
organization and individually) do work on other campaigns (which
is obvious from our website). However, the fact that Gay Rodeo
is not as large-scale and arguably as cruel as some other issues
doesn't excuse the cruelty — and the issue is personal to us as LGBT
persons, and we feel we can more easily effect change within our
own community. And
change on a larger scale often starts with grassroots efforts
and outreach.

As they have in prior "animal welfare" statements, they
attempt to pull the "race card" to excuse themselves for abusing
animals. Of course, this becomes more challenging when others in
the same "community" speak out, but they still try (suggesting
we shouldn't be criticizing others in the LGBT community). LGBT
Compassion has a policy of nondiscrimination when it comes to
animal abuse — no one gets a pass based on their minority status.

Most Holy Redeemer Church has "pulled the plug"
on a planned Gay Rodeo event!

The progressive and inclusive Catholic Church in San Francisco's
Castro neighborhood has canceled a dinner/dance/silent auction event
that the Bay Area Gay Rodeo had planned to hold there on July 14,
2012, after learning about the rodeo's cruelty to animals. We are very pleased to have a church that
understands the connection between the oppression and abuse of
persons such as LGBTs, and of animals, as part of our community!

Although the event was intended to be a charity fundraiser, animals
should not have to suffer for charity, and other methods of
fundraising should be sought. Furthermore, one of the charities
(providing horse rides to "special needs" persons) is associated
with a business which we believe involves cruelty to horses.

Non-profit organization Paws &
Hearts has withdrawn as a planned "beneficiary" of the rodeo,
deciding that it would be inappropriate to accept money raised at
the expense of animals, and also says they no longer support rodeo. In a May 18, 2012 letter to the Greater Palm Springs [Gay] Rodeo, Paws & Hearts founder Richard Waxman says:

After much thought, soul searching and research, my board of directors and I have decided to decline your offer of a donation from the receipts of the May 2012 Gay Rodeo.
We have been bombarded with calls, emails, Facebook postings, and faxes begging us to reconsider our association with rodeo. And being a non-profit that believes in the fair treatment of all animals, not just therapy dogs, we cannot in good conscience accept a donation.

We are currently raising donations for Paws & Hearts to show our
apprecation, and to help them to continue to provide valuable services
to people and pets in need.
Please consider
making a donation, and
let us know if
you do.

The other advertised 2012 "beneficiary" is the City of Banning's Community Services
department. The "donation" made by the rodeo was actually a payment
in lieu of the regular permit fee for its use of a city park for the
rodeo event. We will be discussing the City's involvement with
animal cruelty with officials.

Sacramento and San Diego Gay Rodeos canceled for 2012!

Sacramento's Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association announced has
again canceled its rodeo for 2012, after canceling it in 2011. San
Diego has also canceled for 2012.

In 2009, the Bay Area Gay Rodeo canceled. This cruel and barbaric practice is on its way out!

The Sacramento rodeo's 2009 IRS Form 990-EZ (we haven't yet obtained
2010) shows a loss of $10,000 and $11,500 in "contestant payouts."
It also shows assets held in "paintings and jewelry." How do you
suppose those paintings and jewelry (purchased by tax-free
donations) are being used?

The April 5, 2011 issue of the primary newspaper serving the Bay
Area LGBT community ran
this story about our recent protest and our campaign.

Bay Area Gay Rodeo retained $20,000 embezzled from
another company. Its 2010 Treasurer embezzled $44,000. What are
your donations supporting?

According to the rodeo's
2010 IRS filing, the rodeo received
$20,500 in funds embezzled by former Treasurer
Jeffrey Harper from his employer, and the rodeo apparently does not plan on returning
them. Mr. Harper also embezzled nearly $44,000 from the rodeo. He
was elected Treasurer even though the IRS filing claims that two other states have warrants out
for him for similar cases.

This Rodeo promotes itself as a charitable organization, saying that
it raises funds to donate to other charities. It chooses a local
charity each year to advertise as its "beneficiary."

From 2006-2010, it only made donations to other charities in 3
years, and its average donation rate was 7.5% of its revenue (which
includes contributions to other Gay Rodeo chapters). It spends around
$30,000 a year on "contestant
expenses" (according to the most recent IRS data available).
Examples of such expenses may be travel, lodging, food, beverages
and entertainment.

This organization is clearly not well managed, and appears to
function primarily to provide free benefits and entertainment to its organizers and participants
(not uncommon for nonprofit organizations), at the expense of
donors, taxpayers, animals, and the reputation of the LGBT
community.

Women's consciousness of animal welfare is a roadblock to recruitment efforts by Gay Rodeo!

According to the
International Gay Rodeo Association's (IGRA) 2010 "Women's Outreach Committee Meeting:" (page
43 of this PDF)
"Animal rights is an important issue for most women’s groups and has proven an obstacle for recruitment."

Many women, especially feminists, have made an easier connection
between sexism and other forms of oppression of humans, and
oppression and abuse of animals. There are essays and books
available on this topic.

On October 14 and 15, 2011, local animal advocates investigated the Grand National Rodeo at Cow Palace.
They videotaped rodeo personnel using electric prods to shock the animals, twisting and pulling their tails, and repeatedly stabbing at animals with a ballpoint pen.
Please view one of the videos
here.

This rodeo company, "Flying U," was fined by the City of Hayward in
2008 for
electric prod use at Rowell Ranch Rodeo (against Park rules even prior to the state ban), and is notorious
for electric prod use and abusive treatment of animals. These cruelties violate California state law, and this case has been referred to the San Mateo
District Attorney for investigation.

Animals have to be tormented and tortured to perform in rodeos and
"welfare rules" are well-documented to be a farce. Additionally,
district attorneys refuse to prosecute local law violations (as it
typical with any violations involving animals used for profit).
We've observed that fans of the Gay Rodeo tend to be fans of
"traditional" rodeos.
Please do not support any rodeo.

"...I applaud your efforts against animal cruelty and in no way am a supporter of animal cruelty. ...we have discontinued our involvement with the Gay Rodeo as you requested."
—(Kenneth) Bryan Kane, owner of Sol Rouge, LLC dba Winery SF.

A Changed Perspective from a Bay Area Reporter reporter.

Click here for a "letter to the editor" in the September 15, 2011
issue of the Bay Area Reporter (4th letter down), from a reporter
who has changed his perspective on gay rodeo in the years since he
wrote a story promoting it.

Update August 2010. Man trampled by horse at Bay Area gay rodeo.

A man was trampled by a horse at the Bay Area gay rodeo on August
14, 2010. He was transported by ambulance to a helicopter pad, then
lifted out by air. Two fire trucks were also involved.

Forcing animals to behave violently is not only dangerous to
them, but to the humans involved.

Let's ask our community to stop putting both animals and humans
at risk, for purposes of entertainment. There are many other ways we
can entertain ourselves.

Unfortunately, our volunteers were unable to focus on the gay
rodeo for 2010, due to the demands of fighting animal cruelty,
public health risks, anti-gay discrimination, and other law
violations by the Heart of the
City Farmers' Market's live poultry vendors. But now
that we've stopped live animal sales at all Bay Area farmers'
markets where they were previously allowed, we're ready to focus on gay rodeo
again!